Careers Gone Wild - Explore the Career Kingdom

Explore the Career Kingdom:


Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors

Counsel individuals and provide group educational and vocational guidance services.

Other names for Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors: Academic Advisement Director, Academic Adviser, Academic Advising Director, Academic Advisor, Academic Coordinator, Academic Counselor, Admissions Advisor, Admissions Counselor, Admissions Director, Adolescent Counselor, Adult Education Teacher, Adult School Counselor, Adviser, Advisor, Articulation Officer, Assessment Coordinator, Assessment Specialist, Career Advisor, Career Center Director, Career Coach, Career Consultant, Career Coordinator, Career Counselor, Career Developer, Career Development Consultant, Career Development Counselor, Career Development Director, Career Development Facilitator, Career Development Specialist, Career Guidance Counselor, Career Services Coordinator, Career Services Director, Career Technical Counselor, Career Transition Specialist, Child Guidance Counselor, College Counselor, College Recruiter, Comprehensive Advisor, Cooperative Education Director, Counseling Department Chair, Counseling Director, Counselor, Counselor Supervisor, Curriculum Counselor, Dean, Dean of Student Services, Dean of Students, Director Career Services, Director of Counseling, Director of Guidance, Director of Guidance in Public Schools, Director of Vocational Guidance, Disability Services Coordinator, Education Counselor, Educational Adviser, Educational Advisor, Educational Director, Educator, Elementary School Counselor, Employment Case Manager, Employment Coach, Employment Coordinator, Employment Counselor, Employment Trainer, Employment Training Specialist, Enrollment Counselor, Extension Course Counselor, Financial Aid Counselor, Financial Aid Director, Foreign Student Adviser, Future Farmers of America Advisor (FFA Advisor), Guidance Adviser, Guidance Counselor, Guidance Director, Guidance Services Coordinator, High School Counselor, High School Guidance Counselor, Housing and Residence Life Director, International Student Counselor, Internship Coordinator, Job Coach, Job Developer, Job Placement Counselor, Life Skills Coach, Mental Health Counselor, Nurses' Association Counselor, Offender Employment Specialist (OES), Offender Job Retention Specialist, Offender Workforce Development Program Manager (OWDPM), Offender Workforce Development Specialist (OWDS), Outplacement Consultant, Placement Coordinator, Placement Director, Professor, Pupil Personnel Worker, Registrar, Residence Counselor, Resident Hall Director, Resume Writer, School Adjustment Counselor, School Counselor, School Guidance Counselor, School Psychologist, Special Services Supervisor, Student Advisor, Student Affairs Dean, Student Development Advisor, Student Development Specialist, Student Life Coordinator, Student Services Advisor, Student Services Coordinator, Student Services Counselor, Student Services Dean, Student Services Director, Student Success Counselor, Student Support Counselor, Student Support Services Director, Students Okay Without Drugs and Alcohol Counselor (SODA Counselor), Study Abroad Advisor, Teacher, Teacher Advisor, Teacher Counselor, Transition Specialist, Tutor Coordinator, Veterans Contact Representative, Vocational Adviser, Vocational Counselor, Vocational Director, Vocational Evaluator, Vocational Examiner, Vocational Guidance Counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, Vocational Rehabilitation Supervisor,

What do Educational, Vocational, and School Counselors do?

  • Plan and conduct orientation programs and group conferences to promote the adjustment of individuals to new life experiences such as starting college.
  • Assess needs for assistance such as rehabilitation, financial aid, or additional vocational training, and refer clients to the appropriate services.
  • Instruct individuals in career development techniques such as job search and application strategies, resume writing, and interview skills.
  • Address community groups, faculty, and staff members to explain available counseling services.
  • Attend staff meetings, and serve on committees as required.
  • Compile and study occupational, educational, and economic information to assist counselees in determining and carrying out vocational and educational objectives.
  • Provide information for teachers and staff members involved in helping students or graduates identify and pursue employment opportunities.
  • Review transcripts to ensure that students meet graduation or college entrance requirements, and write letters of recommendation.
  • Refer students to degree programs based on interests, aptitudes, or educational assessments.
  • Provide special services such as alcohol and drug prevention programs, and classes that teach students to handle conflicts without resorting to violence.
  • Provide disabled students with assistive devices, supportive technology, and assistance accessing facilities such as restrooms.
  • Observe children during classroom and play activities to gain additional information about them.
  • Counsel students regarding educational issues such as course and program selection, class scheduling, school adjustment, truancy, study habits, and career planning.
  • Counsel individuals to help them understand and overcome personal, social, or behavioral problems affecting their educational or vocational situations.
  • Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
  • Confer with parents or guardians, teachers, other counselors, and administrators to resolve students' behavioral, academic, and other problems.
  • Provide crisis intervention to students when difficult situations occur at schools.
  • Identify cases involving domestic abuse or other family problems affecting students' development.
  • Meet with parents and guardians to discuss their children's progress, and to determine their priorities for their children and their resource needs.
  • Prepare students for later educational experiences by encouraging them to explore learning opportunities and to persevere with challenging tasks.
  • Encourage students and/or parents to seek additional assistance from mental health professionals when necessary.
  • Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
  • Enforce all administration policies and rules governing students.
  • Meet with other professionals to discuss individual students' needs and progress.
  • Provide students with information on such topics as college degree programs and admission requirements, financial aid opportunities, trade and technical schools, and apprenticeship programs.
  • Evaluate individuals' abilities, interests, and personality characteristics using tests, records, interviews, and professional sources.
  • Collaborate with teachers and administrators in the development, evaluation, and revision of school programs.
  • Teach classes and present self-help or information sessions on subjects related to education and career planning.
  • Establish and enforce behavioral rules and procedures to maintain order among students.
  • Conduct follow-up interviews with counselees to determine if their needs have been met.
  • Attend professional meetings, educational conferences, and teacher training workshops, in order to maintain and improve professional competence.
  • Prepare reports on students and activities as required by administration.
  • Interview clients to obtain information about employment history, educational background, and career goals, and to identify barriers to employment.
  • Establish and supervise peer counseling and peer tutoring programs.
  • Plan and promote career and employment-related programs such as work-experience programs.
  • Refer qualified counselees to employers or employment services for job placement.
  • Sponsor extracurricular activities such as clubs, student organizations, and academic contests.
  • Perform administrative duties such as hall and cafeteria monitoring, and bus loading and unloading.
  • Provide information to businesses regarding human resource and employment issues.